My Bachelor of Arts Journey
Second year
I build a large scale structure
Being ex-services I started to research Mount Edgecumbe and the War. It was through this I started to unearth stories about the 'Blue and Grey' American soldiers, as the 29th Infantry Division was known.
They were based all around Devon, but there was a large proportion encamped at Maker.
I know Plymouth played a major role in D-Day but I had no clue what I was about to unearth about these guys, who came so far to help defeat the Germans and bring an end to World War 2.
Many as we know gave the ultimate sacrifice with their lives and are now buried across the channel in the D-Day war cemeteries so far from their homes.
I wanted to make something that honoured the fallen and something many would come and use, to feel peace in the area it sits.
I set myself to build a memorial bench but with a different approach to the standard style and for the round one to be more fitting as they had come from all over and would be travelling in many directions. The four statues of the GI's would be placed North, South, East and West to represent their journeys.
There were many times I thought I took on too much, but many will know that I am one person that hates to be defeated in a challenge. So through good and bad times I prevailed to finish what we see on this page.
I would like to thank the technicians from the Arts University who helped me during the build. Also all the companies who donated materials during this build.
I really hope that many will go and enjoy the sculpture and the surrounding area for many years to come.